Opinions
There is no shortage of opinions on the internet these days, and in a general sense, there is nothing wrong with that at all. In my experience, however, it takes a god deal of willingness and persistance to do some actual research in order to support your opinion. Many times - too many times - opinions get stated as fact when there is not all that much (if anything) too back it up.
That said, I came across a rather appropriate book - Sports: Is it All B.S.?
That said, I came across a rather appropriate book - Sports: Is it All B.S.?
To quote the author, Dr. Yessis...
"The bottom line is that if you cannot show it or prove it, then it is probably B.S. Opinions are fine when they are based on fact or substantiated data, but when opinion lacks substantiation, they are feeding us bull." (emphasis added!)
I'm willing to bet that the author's so called need for a substantiated data rather than mere opinion is nothing more than a ploy to push/sell his book/opinion. I've been around many former players whom happened to teach a style of hitting based on nothing more than mere opinion. This mere opinion produced the likes of Mike Sweeney, along with countless of other player's, from your amateur high school, collegiate (Div I), minor leagues, to major leagues, so... The game of baseball itself is measured in real time (heuristics perspective/thinking) and not simply from a statistical analysis stand point of view, because we all know what analysis is all about "forecasting". To discount heuristics which everything is based on research/substantiated data already done would be simply be nothing more than discounting the author's point being made as a mere opinion in itself, resorting back to him trying to sell a book, which is BS. So he is absolutely right there w/o the question mark "it is all BS."
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Good points, Jay. Of course many coaches have been successful teaching what they "think" happens. I don't think this should be discounted...I think it should be considered along with the objective information that exists in order to create a more effective player development process.
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